Integrated oil cooler and cleaning device

ABSTRACT

A cleaning system is provided for use with an operating fluid cooling system of an agricultural machine. The cleaning system includes an air plenum adapted to be attached to the cooling system. Fans provided for use in the cooling system exhaust air through the air plenum which has air outlets which direct air to individual mechanisms of the machine to blow away dust and debris from the mechanisms. Thus continuous cleaning of mechanisms during machine operation is enabled without the need for separate blowers, fans, or compressors and the expense and complexity associated therewith.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to agricultural machines. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to agricultural machinessuch as balers having a fluid cooling system used for cooling anoperating fluid of the machine. Specifically, the present inventionrelates to means for using the cooling system as a source of air for useby a cleaning system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Agricultural machines such as balers and particularly large square orparallelepiped balers are susceptible to accumulations of dust and cropdebris that can at times, foul the various mechanisms of the baler. Forexample, such balers typically employ a knotter system designed to tieoff the bales they produce. These systems typically reside on the top ofthe machine and are susceptible to considerable crop and debris buildup.The crop and debris buildup on the knotters can impede function andcause a lower tie repeatability and poor knotter performance. Increasedwear of knotter components and rust are also side effects. It has beenknown to use a variety of techniques to automatically keep the knotterarea clean, but these techniques frequently add a considerable cost tothe baler. Such systems typically comprise the addition of a blowersystem which includes a driver, motor, fan, and tubing to direct airflow across the knotters. Some manufacturers employ a hydraulicallydriven blower, fan, and tube system. Other manufacturers utilizeelectrically driven fan systems. The addition of such devices dedicatedsolely to the purpose of cleaning the knotter system adds significantcost to the baler.

Accordingly, there is a clear need in the art for a cleaning system thatutilizes existing machine systems to provide air for cleaning theknotter system and other mechanisms without the cost associated with adedicated fan or blower system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the invention to provide ameans for cleaning various mechanisms of an agricultural machine.

Another object of the invention is the provision of such a means thatutilizes existing machine components to provide a source of air for thecleaning system.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a system that addsno moving parts and is inexpensive to produce.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of such a meansthat is lightweight and is easily removable for cleaning or repair.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention together with theadvantages thereof over the known art which will become apparent fromthe detailed specification which follows are attained by an improvedagricultural machine having a system for cooling operating fluid of themachine by way of at least one fan, the machine having one or moremechanisms wherein it is desired to keep the mechanisms free of dust anddebris, the improvement comprising: an air plenum for directing airexhausted from the at least one fan of the cooling system to at leastone of the one or more mechanisms at a velocity to blow away dust anddebris from the mechanism.

Other objects of the invention are attained by cleaning system forremoving dust and debris from mechanisms of an agricultural machine, themachine having an operating fluid cooling system including at least onefan, the cleaning system comprising: an air plenum for directing airexhausted from the at least one fan of the cooling system to themechanisms at a velocity to blow away dust and debris from themechanism.

Still other objects of the invention are attained by an air plenumadapted for use with an operating fluid cooling system of anagricultural machine, the cooling system having at least one fan, themachine further having one or more mechanisms wherein it is desired tokeep the mechanisms free of dust and debris, the air plenum comprisingan air inlet, and at least one air outlet wherein the air plenum issecured to the cooling system and air exhausted from the at least onefan is directed to the one or more mechanisms to blow away dust anddebris from the one or more mechanisms.

The invention overcomes the problem of cleaning debris from variousmachine mechanisms such as the knotting mechanism on a baler byutilizing air flow from a separate onboard cooling system. Coolingsystems are often present e.g. for removing heat from hydraulic oil usedto drive other functions on a baler. The present invention leverages thepre-existing air flow from the fan of such a cooling system. The airflowis directed to machine mechanisms such as the knotters on a baler toremove foreign debris therefrom. With this concept there is very littleoverall cost impact to the machine.

In order to utilize airflow off of an existing cooling system, themanifold that gathers the air and directs it to the mechanism to becleaned ideally should be designed to balance internal static pressureand exit air velocity. These two parameters have an impact on theefficiency of the cooling system. The result is a design of a plenumthat does not significantly reduce cooling efficiency, yet providesenough air volume and velocity to adequately clean the various balermechanisms.

In general, a cleaning system is provided for use with an operatingfluid cooling system of an agricultural machine. The cleaning systemincludes an air plenum adapted to be attached to the cooling system.Fans provided for use in the cooling system exhaust air through the airplenum which has air outlets which direct air to individual mechanismsof the baler to blow away dust and debris from the mechanisms. Thuscontinuous cleaning of mechanisms during machine operation is enabledwithout the need for separate blowers, fans, or compressors and theexpense and complexity associated therewith.

To acquaint persons skilled in the art most closely related to thepresent invention, one preferred embodiment of the invention thatillustrates the best mode now contemplated for putting the inventioninto practice is described herein by and with reference to, the annexeddrawings that form a part of the specification. The exemplary embodimentis described in detail without attempting to show all of the variousforms and modifications in which the invention might be embodied. Assuch, the embodiment shown and described herein is illustrative, and aswill become apparent to those skilled in the art, can be modified innumerous ways within the spirit and scope of the invention—the inventionbeing measured by the appended claims and not by the details of thespecification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a complete understanding of the objects, techniques, and structureof the invention reference should be made to the following detaileddescription and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view, partially in section, of an integratedoil cooler and cleaning system according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the integrated oil cooler and cleaningsystem according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is rear perspective view of the air plenum according to theinvention; and,

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the air plenum according to theinvention; and,

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment according to theinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings it can be seen that one exemplaryembodiment of an integrated oil cooler and cleaning system for anagricultural machine such as a baler is designated generally by thenumeral 10. In the embodiment shown the system 10 generally includes anoil cooler assembly 12 and an air plenum 14 both mounted at the top of abaler adjacent to a knotting mechanism 16. The oil cooler assembly 12 isa conventional oil cooler assembly provided to cool hydraulic fluid usedfor operating the baler. Accordingly, the oil cooler assembly 12includes a heat exchanger 18 through which hydraulic fluid flows. One ormore fans 24 are provided adjacent to the heat exchanger 18 for drawingair through the heat exchanger 18. The fans 24 are disposed in a fanshroud 26 comprising a lower wall 28, an upper wall 30, a pair ofopposed side walls 32 and an end wall 34 to which the fans 24 aremounted. The end wall 34 includes one or more apertures 36 to allow airexhausted from the fans 24 to flow through the end wall 34. The fanshroud 26 is mounted to the heat exchanger 18 by way of mounting flanges38 that are affixed to both the heat exchanger 18 and the fan shroud 26.Accordingly, when the fans 24 are in operation air is necessarily drawnthrough the heat exchanger 18 and exhausted through the apertures 36 inthe shroud end wall 34.

As shown in the drawings the air plenum 14 includes an air inlet 40, aplurality of air outlets 42 and a substantially enclosed air chamber 44therebetween. As shown the air inlet 40 is adapted to matingly engagethe oil cooler assembly 12 and, as such, the opening of the air inletportion 40 is substantially the same size in its periphery as the fanshroud 26 defined by the walls 28, 30, and 32. The air chamber 44 has afirst portion 44A, a second portion 44B and a third portion 44C ofdecreasing cross-sectional area, i.e. the volumetric capacity of thefirst portion 44A of the air chamber 44 is greater than that of thesecond portion 44B, which is greater than that of the third portion 44C.More particularly, the first portion 44A is at the air inlet 40, and dueto the fact that the air inlet 40 is adapted to mate with the fan shroud26 has the greatest cross-sectional area, while the third portion 44C isat the air outlets 42 and thus has a significantly smallercross-sectional area. The second portion 44B has a varyingcross-sectional area as a transition between the first portion 44A andthe third portion 44C.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the air plenum 14 is adapted tobe mounted to the oil cooler assembly 12 between the oil cooler assembly12 and the knotting mechanism 16 such that each air outlet 42 isdisposed adjacent to an individual knotter 46 of the knotting mechanism16. More particularly, the air inlet 40 of the plenum 14 is secured tothe fan shroud 26 by appropriate means and may include a flexible seal48 for sealing the interface between the shroud 26 and the plenum 14.The plenum 14 may further be supported and secured to the balerstructure 50 by means of a mounting bracket 52. In operation air isdrawn through the heat exchanger 18 by the fans 24 and directed throughthe air chamber 44 and exhausted through the individual air outlets 42.The velocity of air exiting the plenum 14 is sufficient to blow awaydust and debris that would otherwise accumulate at the knotter 46 duringoperation of the baler. Because of the shape of the plenum 14, theinternal static pressure and exit air velocity are balanced so as not toeffect the performance of the cooling system, while providing adequateair velocity at the knotters 46 to keep them free of debris. However,while in most instances it is desirable to have a balanced system, theconcept of the invention is not limited to such balanced systems. Itmight be desirable in some situations to sacrifice cooling capacity forincreased airflow for cleaning and vice versa. In any event it shouldnow be apparent that the unique air plenum 14 added to the existingcooling system 12 of the baler enables the continuous cleaning of theknotting and other baler mechanisms during baler operation without theneed for separate blowers, fans, or compressors and the expense andcomplexity associated therewith.

With reference to FIG. 5 it will be seen that another embodiment of thesystem 10 is illustrated schematically wherein an alternative version ofthe plenum 14 is shown. In this embodiment the plenum 14 is enlarged toinclude additional air outlets 42 to which are affixed hoses or ducts56. It is contemplated that the hoses or ducts 56 could be routed toother mechanisms 58 or areas of the baler where it is desired to blowaway dust and crop debris to prevent heat build-up and/or wear of balermechanisms and, as such, more or less air outlets 42 could be includedas needed. It will also be seen that the illustrated air plenum 14serves to house the fans 24 of the cooling system 12. Specifically, theplenum 14 is extended and/or enlarged so that the fans 24 are disposedwithin the opening 40 of the plenum 14 so as to eliminate the need for aseparate fan shroud, thereby reducing the overall number of partsrequired for the system.

Thus it can be seen that the objects of the invention have beensatisfied by the structure presented above. While in accordance with thepatent statutes, only the best mode and preferred embodiment of theinvention has been presented and described in detail, it is not intendedto be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light ofthe above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described to providethe best illustration of the principles of the invention and itspractical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the artto utilize the invention in various embodiments and with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All suchmodifications and variations are within the scope of the invention asdetermined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance withthe breadth to which they are fairly and legally entitled.

Assignment

The entire right, title and interest in and to this application and allsubject matter disclosed and/or claimed therein, including any and alldivisions, continuations, reissues, etc., thereof are, effective as ofthe date of execution of this application, assigned, transferred, soldand set over by the applicant(s) named herein to Deere & Company, aDelaware corporation having offices at Moline, Ill. 61265, U.S.A.,together with all rights to file, and to claim priorities in connectionwith, corresponding patent applications in any and all foreign countriesin the name of Deere & Company or otherwise.

1. In an agricultural machine having a system for cooling operatingfluid of the machine by way of at least one fan, the machine having oneor more mechanisms wherein it is desired to keep the mechanisms free ofdust and debris, the improvement comprising: an air plenum for directingair exhausted from the at least one fan of the cooling system to atleast one of the one or more mechanisms at a velocity to blow away dustand debris from the mechanism.
 2. An improved agricultural machineaccording to claim 1 wherein the air plenum includes an air inlet and atleast one air outlet.
 3. An improved agricultural machine according toclaim 1 wherein each air outlet is fitted with a hose or duct fordirecting air to one of the one or more mechanisms.
 4. An improvedagricultural machine according to claim 2 wherein the air inlet, has thegreatest cross-sectional area, while the at least one air outlet has asignificantly smaller cross-sectional area.
 5. An improved agriculturalmachine according to claim 2 wherein the air inlet of the plenum issecured to the cooling system.
 6. An improved agricultural machineaccording to claim 2 wherein air is drawn through the system for coolingoperating fluid by the at least one fan and exhausted through the atleast one air outlet.
 7. An improved agricultural machine according toclaim 2 wherein the at least one air outlet comprises a plurality ofindividual air outlets corresponding to individual knotters on aknotting mechanism of the baler.
 8. A cleaning system for removing dustand debris from mechanisms of an agricultural machine, the machinehaving an operating fluid cooling system including at least one fan, thecleaning system comprising: an air plenum for directing air exhaustedfrom the at least one fan of the cooling system to the mechanisms at avelocity to blow away dust and debris from the mechanism.
 9. A cleaningsystem according to claim 8 wherein the air plenum includes an air inletand at least one air outlet.
 10. A cleaning system according to claim 9wherein the air inlet is adapted to matingly engage the system forcooling operating fluid.
 11. A cleaning system according to claim 9wherein the air inlet, has the greatest cross-sectional area, while theat least one air outlet has a significantly smaller cross-sectionalarea.
 12. A cleaning system according to claim 9 wherein each air outletis fitted with a hose or duct for directing air to the mechanisms.
 13. Acleaning system according to claim 9 wherein the air inlet of the plenumis secured to the cooling system.
 14. A cleaning system according toclaim 9 wherein air is drawn through the system for cooling operatingfluid by the at least one fan and exhausted through the at least one airoutlet.
 15. A cleaning system according to claim 9 wherein the at leastone air outlet comprises a plurality of individual air outletscorresponding to individual knotters on a knotting mechanism of anagricultural baler.
 16. An air plenum adapted for use with an operatingfluid cooling system of an agricultural machine, the cooling systemhaving at least one fan, the machine further having one or moremechanisms wherein it is desired to keep the mechanisms free of dust anddebris, the air plenum comprising an air inlet, and at least one airoutlet wherein the air plenum is secured to the cooling system and airexhausted from the at least one fan is directed to the one or moremechanisms to blow away dust and debris from the one or more mechanisms.17. An air plenum according to claim 16 wherein the at least one airoutlet comprises a plurality of individual air outlets corresponding toindividual mechanisms of the baler.
 18. An air plenum according to claim17 wherein each air outlet is fitted with a hose or duct for directingair to the individual mechanisms.
 19. An air plenum according to claim16 wherein the plenum is of a varying cross-sectional area.
 20. An airplenum according to claim 16 wherein the air inlet, has the greatestcross-sectional area, while the at least one air outlet has asignificantly smaller cross-sectional area.
 21. An air plenum accordingto claim 16 wherein the at least one air outlet comprises a plurality ofindividual air outlets corresponding to individual knotters on aknotting mechanism of an agricultural baler.